Peace seems so elusive
in this fractious neighborhood
where you have placed me—
that is, when I contemplate
the dirt and hurts and screams
of metal and motors and crowds.
But when I turn my heart
east to the Rising Son
and fix my inner eyes
on light and rainbows,
my inner ears on the birds
singing pulsing praise psalms,
then I find that peace that is
way beyond our understanding.
Your promises stand solid
in the crunch of shifting values
and political confusion.
Your presence fills the universe,
grieving at the fractures and the pain,
applauding when your children
push aside the darkness and live love,
making them the actors in your plan
to change the world, to bring the nations
into your new creation
where health and truth and beauty
will replace this sick morass.
I choose to turn to you, today
and every day, my hand in yours,
your Spirit the fresh air I breathe,
your heart my hope and treasure
while I walk on ahead, sidestepping
garbage and letting your song
speak peace inside the noise.
When we were living in Ferke, Côte d’Ivoire, huge trucks, carrying loads north to Mali or Burkina Faso or south from those countries to Abidjan, would park along the wall that encircled our courtyard (see the photo above). We would hear music blasting, motors starting, people noise–especially in that big city space (all dust) where merchants would promote their wares at high volume, or political events would draw crowds. It was noisy, evening and morning. I would try to have quiet moments with my Lord but found it hard to block out all the distractions.
The Lord taught me to choose to focus on him, to find peace even in the middle of all that. We were blessed with many trees–mango, lime, golden rain, frangi pani. I could look at his creation and soak in beauty. Birds formed a morning chorale. The Word of God was open before me. I could turn the eyes of my heart to the Creator, the Light of the World, the One who loves me and watches over me–the One who is always teaching me. He showed me how to find his unmatchable peace within the noise.
Last week a tornado passed through this Detroit area. Fortunately it did not hit our neighborhood, but it ripped up trees in the beautiful Belle Isle park in the middle of the Detroit River. I went there on Labor Day with a friend, hoping to find a picnic table somewhere near the water in spite of the downed trees and crowds there for the holiday. We finally did find one by Lake Muskoday on the northwest side of the island, no one nearby at all! We sat down to enjoy the peace, only to find out that motorcycles and cars passing by on the road behind us were celebrating with noise: roaring motors and blasting music. Conversation had to pause every now and then and wait for quiet. But our eyes were focused toward the lake with its quiet waters and lily pads, then two canoes paddling by. We delved into the Word and prayed. It was truly “peace within the noise.”
Whatever noise, sorrow, chaos or bad news is deflecting your vision from the Son, ask him to give your heart-eyes focus on him. He is everywhere, even in the middle of the storm that tears down ancient trees or people noise that hurts your ears. He is the Prince of Peace who gave himself for you, who is always accompanying you. Turn to him and acknowledge his presence:
Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. (Ps. 73:23 NIV)
Remember, Jesus himself promised peace, even when trouble is all around. This is not just quiet. It is inner calm that comes from him:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (Jn. 14:27 NIV)
Let’s find that peace inside the noise!
Linnea's Lines 